Property Bloom is preparing for a big house renovation and thought I’d share some of the steps we are taking in the weeks before we start the renovation. The house is a beautiful original Californian Bungalow with some wonderful ornate features to the ceilings and cornices. There are also some fabulous stain glass windows.

We receive lots of calls from property investors wanting to talk to us about developing. During our initial chat we discuss their goals and achievements to date with property. Usually we find that most people have at least one investment property, some have several. Some have built a house before but most haven’t. Then we discuss what property developing is like as an experience to see if they think it may suit them.

“So mum, what town is your next property development going to be in?” asked my 12 year old son. He’d just returned from a school excursion to Canberra, so maybe he was checking out land as he glazed out the bus window?

Today I met with an old friend. I’d coached his son in soccer (yep I am a junior soccer coach – but only up to under 10’s!). He is a very successful local real estate agent. His business on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has been growing from strength to strength over the past few years. But he was here to see me to discuss his personal investment options.

The very first thing I do after finding what I think is a good development site is ask for the Sales Contract to be emailed to me. It’s the starting point for my due diligence and research. At this stage I may not have even physically seen the land. I thought I’d share the five most important things I look at as soon as I get my hands on that sales contract.

A few weeks ago we completed a dual occupancy project for our client. It was a typical corner block development where we built two freestanding, three bedroom, single story villas and a two lot Torrens title subdivision. Our very studious client chose to sell one and keep one as after completing a law degree, she decided she’d like to start a degree in medicine (bless her). So she asked Property Bloom to help her appoint a selling agent and assist in the process of sale.